Scene #307: A Visitor To Everfree

Owner	Pose
Celestia	The road to Everfree is much more clear than it is in more 'modern' Equestrias... well-travelled, though not cobblestone or anything. Union aid has become more noticeable this close to the town that will soon build a castle, in the form of several temporary but higher-tech lamp posts to light the path during nighttime. Efforts in rebuilding are coming along nicely as well! The trees are trimmed back a tad to give some space, and several more permanent buildings and homes have already been completed, with more on the way. The outskirts of town are still hastily-constructed wooden dwellings, though, some of them shared by more than one family. The road splits on the way in, meandering to other parts of the growing town, but it heads toward the main square at its widest fork. For the time being, Discord has been placed here, frozen in stone, as a monument of victory... but there is already some discussion to replace him with something less terrifying.
Calumnia	Just one more pony on the road is certainly nothing worth remarking over, and that is precisely what Calumnia ne 'Heart Ache' is counting on. She's aware that she'll be recognized in this particular disguise, though hopefully not by anypony that she doesn't want to recognize her Saddlebags lie across her back and her radio seems to have a permenant home nearby, ears usually flciked to it to listen to various chatterings and goings on, though it's clicked off as she enters the town proper. Her eyes linger on the lamp posts, as it's roughly dusk by the time she arrives, but not wishing to call undue attention she keeps her face forward and her hoof-falls even. Her ears are perked, tail s lightly swaying, and her head up. By her body language, she's a mare with someplace to be, and /supposed/ to be there, which does a great deal to deter ponies from walaying her as she makes her way to the beginnings of the palace. Perhaps she should have asked Luna for a meeting-place.
Luna	"I am expecting her to arrive today, Celestia." Luna is saying, ending her recounting of her encounter with Calumnia and the deal that they struck. That Luna will be a willing meal for the strange creature roughly once a week in order to hold off Calumnia's need for love to feed upon. Luna has no doubt that Celestia will not like this plan, but Luna is resolute in her decision. She can't abandon one of their fellow ponies simply because she has been tainted by Discord. "And, furthermore, I am surprised at you for suggesting we kill her! That should not be our reception to one who obviously needs our help!" Luna adds at the end, a bit heatedly.
Celestia	"You'll recall that I did spare her, sister," Celestia counters evenly. "I was only thinking of what is best for Equestria, especially in our fragile state right now. She is dangerous, but you are right to show mercy, and that she too has a right to live. What I do not agree with is sapping your own love! We don't know what that could do to-" Tia stops and shakes her head, "She's here. I hope you know what you are doing."
Calumnia	And indeed, a scant few moments later the familiar guise of Heart Ache enters into within view of the Alicorn Sisters. Of course she had to ask directions once or twice but that's to be expected. "My ears are burning." She quips with somethign approaching humor. She glances at Celestia, then Luna and exhales. "I hope i don't regret this, Lady Luna." There within full view of a few guards and curious ponies peaking in, she allows her guise to fall. Fur is swallowed by her charcoal hide, and her horn warps while wings unfurl from her back, buzzing lightly as she 'stretches' them. Once she's finished shifting, she holds... very still, acutely aware of how exposed she is.
Luna	Luna blinks as her sister speaks up about Heart Ache being here, then looks over as the pony herself appears in their doorway. Luna then blinks again when Calumnia starts to revert. But, Luna stands tall, letting the others know that she is not afraid and that their is no need for them to be afraid. "Fellow ponies." she says to those present, then actually rests a forehoof on Calumnia's shoulder. "There is no reason to be afraid of this creature. It is true that she was touched by Discord, but she is no less worthy of our love and respect than any other pony." Luna says in a strong but kind tone. Luna smiles to Calumnia, then at the ponies. "Her name is Calumnia. And while she is in our city, she is under my protection. Treat her as you would your neighbor."
Celestia	When Calumnia drops her disguise, many of the guards snap to alert, and several of the nearby ponies gasp and start to flee! But Luna speaks up for her... and that at least gets their attention. IT also stops the guards from charging forward, and draws a few ears. Celestia herself sighs and hangs back, as she too wants to see how the ponies react. It might not be as bad as expected, but it isn't as good as it could be either. After the announcment, the ponies start to whisper amongst themselves, muttering and exchanging fearful words. None of them come forward to greet Calumnia, but at least none are shouting for her to get out... though it looks like there are a few whispered debates going on.
Calumnia	The proto-changeling just stands there for several long moments, barely breathing, her eyes darting around. For several seconds it looks like she's waiting for the other horseshoe to drop. Then, slowly, she exhales. Careful not to direct the gaze of her cat-like pupils onto any of the ponies in attendance, she respectfully dips her head. "Thank you for a warm welcome, Lady Luna. Lady Celestia, it's... a pleasure to see you again, and I truly thank you for the gift you gave me. It has been... enlightening."
Luna	Luna is prepared for the worst, but hopeful that the ponies will accept Calumnia to some degree. When they stand down and don't flee, Luna smiles happily. "Thank you all for this chance. I am sure you will come to realize that Calumnia is a perfectly fine pony." Luna takes a deep breath, then continues. "There is something that you should know. Calumnia needs love to survive. We have plenty to give. But, I will not ask you to volunteer your love. I will willingly give her my own love in order to keep her from being drawn down a dangerous path of subterfuge and violence. I only ask that everypony else be open-minded. She deserves our kindness, just like any other pony." After her little speech, Luna looks over at Celestia, then back to the ponies in attendance. "So, will you ponies accept her into our town? I am sure she would be willing to help out around town, and I am told she is a healer."
Celestia	The ponies murmur a lot more, and finally one of them steps forward, "L-Lady Luna, we've... we worry what we would be without your love, giving it to this one instead. And we've heard tales of the face-stealer, our foals..." The pony, a young colt, is worried and nervous in this defiance of Luna... but Luna isn't a monarch yet. Celestia, meanwhile, is talking softly to Calumnia. "I should have given you more instruction with it, but I had other things upon my mind. Make no mistake that I have my eye on you... but if my sister believes you can live without troubling us, then I will respect her wishes." After the first pony's speech, the others are murmuring a lot more, nervous and skittish about the strange pony. Then one of the gasps, because... A tiny little foal, a boy with a white hide and orange/yellow streaked mane and tail, bumps into Calumnia's leg and silently holds up a big, juicy apple.
Calumnia	Though Calumnia keeps her eyes on Celestia, one ear keeps itself fixed on the conversations about the room, her tail lowering a bit as her muscles start to tense as the mood turns further south.. "I would expect nothing else, and I thank you for the--eep" She actually eeps, jumping a bit as something silently bumps her leg. She stifles the first instinct which is to buck whatever it is as hard as she can and run... or she's just so surprised by the lightness of the touch that her mind blanks and curiosity takes over. Either way, after her entire body quivers a bit, she turns and finally looks with utter shock at the foal. She blinks first at the little pony, then at the apple, and asks, "Is this for me little one?" Her voice is barely above a whisper, quiet and soft. Her cat-like pupils widen to nearly round as she smiles at the foal. Love-devouring ex-pony or not, as far as she's concerned nothign with a heart could resist /that/ kind of cuteness.
Luna	Luna listens to the concerns of the ponies, then smiles softly. "Do not worry. My love is strong. I am confident that it will not be diminished by these feedings. But, it will weaken me, so if any of you ponies ever feel like donating a bit of your love, it will help lessen the strain on me." she says. Then, she hears that eep, and turns to look. Luna blinks in surprise at the little foal offering up an apple, then giggles just a bit at the cuteness of the situation. Then, she turns to Celestia again. "I not only believe that she will not trouble us, but that she has something good to offer our town. We just have to discover what it is."
Celestia	The foal nods quickly and sets the apple down... then dashes behind Celestia's foreleg to peek out around it! Kind of a shy one, it seems, but not so shy he can't offer a gesture of friendship. Celestia looks down at him with a hint of surprise, then sighs and lifts her eyes again. "We will see how it goes for a few weeks, at least. But if anything strange begins to happen..." As for the townsponies, the foal's act of courage has put some shame into them. The one who stepped forward hesitates, then sighs and bows her head, retreating again. It does seem to have broken the tension of the crowd though.
Calumnia	Calumnia slowly lifts the apple, her warped horn glowing a sickly green. She watches the foal go, and a smile touches her lips. She takes the apple and, after scoring it once or twice with her fangs, uses her telekinesis to break it in half. She floats one half over to the foal and palces it gently down peel-down and takes a bite of her half. "Thank you." Then she straightens back up and flicks an ear at Celestia. "That reminds me. I have been out of Whit's Tale for several days. Do let me know how they are doing won't you? I'm curious myself."
Luna	Luna is so happy about how things are turning out! She just knew that given a bit of persuading and some time, ponies would accept Calumnia! She was worried a moment when that pony stepped forward and the others started muttering, but now, just look! Thanks to a little foal showing some kindness, the adult ponies are willing to accept Calumnia. Or, tolerate her at least. And that is all Luna wanted. For them to give Calumnia a chance. "You ponies will not regret this, I am sure of it." Luna says spiritedly, then she clops over to Calumnia and smiles. "You see? All you needed was the proper introduction and a little help from a friend."
Celestia	Celestia sighs, "I still feel like this is going to come back to haunt us... but I suppose the same could happen with another option. And if little Sun Bro thinks you can be his friend, then I'll step back from this. Do let me know if there is a problem... either from the ponies or from Calumnia." She looks to the proto-Changeling. "If you are staying here, then you are entitled to my protection as well. Try not to make me regret it. I know you don't mean any harm, but I still have concerns."
Calumnia	There's an inclination of Calumnia's head, voicing silent assent to Celestia, then she looks to Luna and bites back a retort, responding instead, "So it appears. I believe your generosity in particular is what is affording me the opportunity though." She inhales, then slowly sighs, looking around at the mixed expressions on the other ponies, then takes another bite of her half of apple. "...So, what now?" She asks. It's valid question too; the Discord-touched mare has never actually been in a scenario in which her survival is not a question, at least temporarily. A shifting in the way she holds herself allows the confident, on-edge visage to turn to uncertainty.
Luna	Luna giggles at Celestia's words. "You worry too much, sister. You should try to have a bit more fun." she says to Celestia, smiling. "Nothing bad will happen. Calumnia and I will see to it. You won't even have to concern yourself." Luna says confidently before... Hmm...now what indeed? Luna thinks a few moments, then looks to Celestia. "She will need a job here in the town if she is to be accepted properly. Ponies have more respect for a pony who works for a living, right?"
Celestia	Sun Bro trots off to eat his half of the apple, beaming and actually showing less worry about Calumnia. He's still quiet, though. Tia watches with a smile, then trots over toward Luna and Calumnia. "The performance arts, perhaps, or as a healer. But if you do the latter..." Celestia turns to look at Calumnia with a firm set to her jaw. "No taking love from the victims without their assent. AND, I have one more condition of you staying here. I'd like you to have a healer look over you in regular checkups, and any of those you feed from regularly. If you are going to stay here, we should know as much as we can."
Calumnia	With her eyes on the foal, a small smile comes to Calumnia's muzzle for a few moments, then she clears her throat and looks away and back to the two speaking mares. "I'm willing to visit a healer, but I actually shouldn't do anything that involves a high degree of magic initially." She nods toward Luna. "Using my magic drains my reserves, as does altering my shape. Small tasks do not drain them appreciably, such as telekinesis. Altering my body or casting spells, such as what I was using in Whit's Tale would tax not only me, but Lady Luna." There's a small sigh as she finishes her apple, licking hte juice from her lips. "Perhaps after feeding awhile I'll be able to gauge how much I can take from Lady Luna without causing her harm. Of course if somepony offers up their love in exchange for a service then I can be more useful."
Luna	Luna hesitates at that last suggestion. "Uh...perhaps, but given their timid reception of you, it may be a bad idea to suggest such a thing to any of the ponies here. I suspect even if I suggested it to them, they would think that you had somehow affected me." Luna says, shaking her head. She listens to Celestia's provisions for Calumnia staying here, then nods in agreement. "And I will also get regular check-ups from the town doctor." she says to Celstia, then hmms. "Do you enjoy healing? If so, then there are many ways to help those in need without magic. Poultices and potions, for instance." she says.
Celestia	"Perhaps our friends in the Union could provide with some training or the like, if you wish," Celestia also offers. There are plenty of options! "If you are going to stay here, we may as well make things as comfortable as possible. Perhaps some tutoring on the Multiverse at large... living here would require you to know more about it than if you were still on the outskirts." She halts a moment. "And I will check on Whit's Tail when I can. Within the next week most likely."
Calumnia	As she listens, Calumnia's ears slowly pin. Still, the question has her looking around; at the guards, still eyeign her warily; at the ponies who spoke out, still shooting her various looks; then at the foal that quite possibly diffused a nasty situation. Finally she returns her gaze to the two sisters and she finds herself sitting. "I... don't know." Lower, she admits, "Most ponies I don't owe anything and... frankly I still believe that if /anypony/ else but you two tried to 'introduce me' I'd have been attacked, or at least driven out. Helping somepony that ungrateful for nothign in return just seems.." Her eyes glance back at the colt. "But... every once in awhile, more often lately, I meet ponies who I would be happy to help and... I do like taking pain away. It makes me feel..." She trails off. "Better." She finishes after grasping for a few moments. Then, looking back up, "I... would like to learn more about the multiverse, and I would like to repay your kindness." She looks at Celestia, and then Luna, lingering for a moment on the latter, "Both of you. And, I do think I'd actually like to get in touch with somepony I met at the same time as Lady Luna. She shared a similar view as Celestia - that I should probably be killed, but at the same time didn't say it out of ill will and..." She shakes her head. "I don't know. I do intend to get in touch with her though, I know that much."
Luna	Luna's ears have their turn to pin upon mention of that particular pony. "I am not sure I could encourage dealing with that Magister Twilight, but I also have no right to deny you." she says to Calumnia. "But, if you want to know more about the multiverse, there are many places to go. You can speak to either of us, or ask just about anyone on the public radio frequency for advice. Although, you may not get any good advice on that frequency. Otherwise, venturing outside of Equestria will gain you a lot of experience." Luna's tail swishes lightly as she thinks, then she smiles. "And, if you are ever feeling down, you just have to come see me."
Celestia	Ears perk up briefly at new news, then fold back with slight worry. Celestia sighs, tapping a hoof on the ground before stating, "Archmagister Twilight is indeed a worry. Her world is... torn apart, and if we are to believe some, it is partly Twilight Sparkle's fault. A large part. However, we don't know the full story, either. I certainly hope my future self chose better as a student." She sighs and turns about. "We will find something, I am sure. Please let me know if you learn anything important. For now, I will go take the sun down and get the moon started, if Luna wishes to remain tonight."
Calumnia	Calumnia flits her ears a few times, before nodding. "I'll keep your concerns in mind. Perhaps I'll experiment with the radio and see if I can get in touch with her specifically. That should be a decent compromise while I decide whether or not to meet her again, proper." She puts on a smile, then yawns. "Though, if it's all the same to the two of you I've been walking for it feels like a week, so... I beleive I am going to find a place to retire for some rest, too."
Luna	Luna seems to share her sister's concerns. "I have never known you to make poor choices, sister." Luna says as Celestia turns to leave. She smiles at Celestia's offer, then looks to Calumnia. "You are my guest, so you are welcome to stay here in our little hut until you are able to find more permanent residence." Luna says, then blinks. "Ah...if you do wish to make a home here, that is." Luna says, blushing a bit at assuming Calumnia would want to stay in Everfree forever. Luna then turns to Celestia. "But, I do not wish to place undue burden on you, sister. I will raise and lower the moon, as is my duty. This arrangement with Calumnia will not affect my life."